Things to Do around the Cottage

Hopefully you will have some beautiful Normandy sunshine during your stay, and for those very days lazing around in the garden at the gite, there is a hammock to hang from the cherry tree for the perfect lazy warm days in the Summer.   There is also plenty of garden furniture to sit and chill out  on while the barbecue is cooking, and the wine is cooling.

Just in case you don't want to spend all your holiday relaxing in and around the gite, here are some ideas of things to do during your holiday stay in the cottage at La Befferie.

The gite has a variety of board games, children's toys and outside games including boules, badminton, and ball games.

Local Activities

Going out and about in Basse Normandy

The area around Manche and Southern Normandy has a huge variety of choice when it comes to finding things to do - these are some of our favourites:

Beaches

There are many lovely beaches in the Manche region , within half an hour's drive of the cottage.   Of all the whole Normandy coast, this is the department that boasts the greatest number of European blueflag beaches. With good quality bathing water and clean beaches, it is ideal for family holidays and watersports.

The department of Manche, which takes its name from the French word for the English Channel because it is the (supposedly) shape of a medieval shirt sleeve, is blessed with 330 kilometres of stunning coastline. Along its shores are some fine beaches, many of which have been awarded European blueflag status.
Carolles Plage is one of our favourites.

Towns, Villages and Markets

There are historic towns and markets in all directions from the cottage.    Whether you are looking for big thriving City markets, or bustling village markets, Southern Normandy has them all - you can visit one every day if you wish!

We keep a list in the house and there are markets on most days somewhere in the local area.

Information from the Local Tourist Office

Within the local area, all the information is available from the Ducey Office du Tourisme including fishing, hiking circuits, cycle circuits, bike rental, green lane routes on their website (translated dynamically by Google translation, so not always correct English, but you will get the idea).

Local Sports

Fishing - this is one of the top fishing areas in Northern France

Cycling - the national sport of France and a popular pastime in the area, there is lots of information available from Ducey Office du Tourisme
There is a circular route from Ducey of 21 km, which you can get details of from the Tourist Office if the link is not working.
(The site is in French, but if you copy and paste the website address into this Google link , it will provide a rough translation:

Golf- Granville Golf Club has one of the best links layouts in France, andoverlooking the Bay of Mont St Michel you can enjoy the beautifulscenery at the same time

Horse-riding - from short bookings tolonger treks, there are loads of riding stables in Normandy, and thebeautiful countryside is a dream to ride in. Treks around the Bay ofMont St Michel are especially recommended. Again, the local Ducey Office du Tourisme has plenty of information.

Amusement Park and Children's leisure park - loads of different activities with super slides and water chutes only 5 minutes away at St Martin de Landelles - Ange Michel Parc d'attractions et de loisirs
Open from Mid-April to September and only 11 Euros to get in, with lots of activities in addition to the water park.

Normandy Landing Beaches

Only an hour's drive from the house are some of the richest areas for Normandy and European history, and there are a wealth of fascinating places to visit.
Wikipedia gives loads of information:
Operation Overlord- The Western Allied campaign in France from June 6 - August 25, 1944
Invasion of Normandy - The initial part of Overlord, from June 6 - mid-July, 1944
The Normandy Landings on June 6, 1944
There is loads of information to be found on the internet, but FrenchEntree.com gives some information on some of the biggest and most popular places to visit.

Motor-Racing

Le Mans - home of the famous 24 hour race, only 2 hours
This year on 13 and 14 June 2009 - 24 Heures du Mans

Other Ideas

Many Activities in the area can be found through the Ducey Office du Tourisme website, including:
Tours of the Chateau des Montgommery in Ducey
Walks around Ducey including the Flower Circuits
Miniature Railway (Admission free, open July/August)
Oriental Spa
Canoeing and Kayaking, in the local rivers and the Bay of Mont Saint Michel
Microlight flights over Mont Saint Michel, or around Brittany and Normandy
Ballooning the Bay of Mont Saint Michel
Flights over Mont Saint Michel

The Eco Museum du Moulin de la See at Sourdeval
La Mazure Leisure recreation at Lake Vezins - Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing, ATV, Riding, Tennis
Sailing Courses at the Center RegionaNautisme at Granville, Jullouviille (windsurfing, catamaran, dinghy, plus childrens courses)
Cruises at Chateaubriand - Dinrd - Barrage de la Rance
Fishing Courses, adult and youth - Mortain
Spadium - St Hilaire du Harcouet - Aqatic Centre/spa, water sports, water fun, care & beauty, sauna, jacuzzi, solarium
Zoo Champrepus , Villiedieu les Poeles
THE ENCHANTED VILLAGE , Bellfontaine - family fun and activities for children from 2 years, open daily from April to October from 10.00 to 18.30
Ice-skating at Coutances - The Yeti, open all year, for opening days and times see the Ducy Office du Tourisme Website
FOREST ADVENTURE at Foret de L'Abbaye, Route de l'Etang, St Sauveur Vicomte - treetop adventures for children and adults (zip lines, nets, walkways, bridges)
COBAC-parc.com - Family Amusement park in Rennes, including Human Table Football, karts, minigolf, the giant soap bubble and trains, slides etc
Hiking across the bay of Mont Saint Michel
Horse Carriage Rides across the bay, Bicycle rental, birdwatching trips

If you'd like any further information on things to do while you are staying in La Befferie, please send us an email